Scrambles Guidebook Updates

The updates provided on this page have been collected from various sources including emails from people engaged in scrambling. Most updates have not been verified by the author. This list of updates in by no means complete as there are likely many changes unknow by the author at this time. Do not assume the information listed below is complete or accurate.

Mount Sedgwick Access – Page 40The Woodfibre Mill, located at the start of the route to Mount Sedgwick, is closed. The ferry from Darrel Bay to the mill was permanently shut down on March 9th, 2006. You must now arrange your own transportation acorss Howe Sound if you want to scramble up Mount Sedgwick.

Sky Pilot Road Access – Page 42July 2008 Update Regarding Road Status (Sky Pilot access) : Restrictions on Shannon FSR through July 2008. The following road closure may affect hikers and climbers attempting to enter or exit the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park or adjacent areas by way of the Shannon Creek FSR. The Shannon Creek FSR will be closed (0km to approximately 3km) to all public due to active logging operations (road re-construction, falling, yarding, and hauling) from May to the end of July 2008. Activity is not expected to be occurring on the weekends or evenings but it is possible that operations may be occurring during any daylight hours and access. EXTREME caution is advised, DO NOT approach active equipment or tree fallers. Notices will be provide to Parks for posting at the start of the chief trails and will be removed upon completion of operations. The logging contractor will have additional signs posted closer to the active operations (July 2008).

Recently someone reported being able to drive to the boulder blockade (918034) in a high clearance 4WD vehicle (1-august-2006). The “Stawamus-Indian FSR” (3.8 km up the Mamquam River Road) was gated on Sept 24th, 2006. Apparently in the late fall of 2006 the road has been closed with a chain by a water treatment plant (thanks to Chris Kiely for this update); reportedly there is a ditch-bypass option (winter 2007).

Lake Lovely Water Approach – Page 48The access road to the Squamish River and Lake Lovelywater trail has apparently been gated by the local First Nations People. Jay Bicknell (new number: 604.898.3356) still provides ferry service, now using a jet boat from Brakendale – the ACC website lists the per person cost at $35. Reportedly the cable car is on ~1.5″ cable.

Tricouni Peak – Page 56Wald Alison provided the following trail update: A new trail has been made that forks left, immediately at the beginning of the old trail, crosses the creek (they are in the process of building a bridge) and stays high up along the rock slopes above the (left) west side of the creek. The original, muddy trail followed the creek bottom on the east (right) side (Oct 2010).
A rocksilde blocked the High Falls Creek in the summer of 2008, however it has now been cleared (July 2009). Thanks Scott Webster for the update.

Cloudburst Mountain – Page 58Simon Grada provided the following update in July 2012: “I couldn’t use the approach described in the book, since the road is way too overgrown, I was pushing 2-3″ trees with the bumper of my truck. Finally I used branch 270 (going left at the second intersection after the bridge over high falls creek) and parked 100m before the end of the road on a small pullout (829334) at 1120m of altitude. The route finding was very straight forward afterwards. there is a faint trail leaving the other side of the pullout that leads to the top of the cutblock. I then angled south-east and found a nice shelter in case of emergency (831333). After the shelter I went south-west untill the next drainage, wich was easily ascendable. I followed it to the shoulder at it’s top which connected to the summit ridge. Branch 270 (which is new since I wrote the description). Branch 200 is very bushy at first (expect pain scratches) but clears up shortly after. Cloudburst can also be ascended by a slighly different route from Branch 270”.A rocksilde blocked the High Falls Creek in the summer of 2008, however it has now been cleared (July 2009). Thanks Scott Webster for the update.I believe that there is a new road/junction on the access road for this route, thought I am not 100% sure (recently people have not been able to find the parking area I suggest).
I believe this is the solution: Cross High Falls Creek on a bridge (7.4 km), go right at a junction immediately after the bridge. At the next junction (813336 , second after crossing High Falls Creek) you must turn off to the right onto an older, busier road (Branch 200) instead of continuing straight (the left brach) on Branch 270 (which is new since I wrote the description). Branch 200 is very bushy at first (expect pain scratches) but clears up shortly after. Cloudburst can also be ascended by a slighly different route from Branch 270. Thanks to Simon Chesterton and Kevin Swanson for this information. (mid July 2007)

Ossa Mountain – Page 60The small hydro power project on the Ashlu has led to logging along the Ashlu road where the Sigurd Creek access road departs, but the road still exists. A new fork now exists a short distance from the Ashlu Creek road at a switchback, stay left. Once hiking on the trail, a new shortcut trail has been created that cuts off a short section of hiking, it is well marked. (mid July 2007)

Ashlu Mountain – Page 65Sounds accessing Ashlu using a vehicle is no longer possible: “…this road is totally undrivable. There was a debris flow last summer (2010) fairly low down, and past that more sinkholes and washouts have opened up. As of August 2010, the road was quad-able. Maybe. We rode mountain bikes pretty much the whole way, which was effective if grueling.” Thanks to Matt Reid for this update. (July 2011)
Older Updates: The Ashlu road is getting worse. Click here for a recent description of the road condition (August 2008).
Apparently some work has been done on the Ashlu road and the slide at about 7 km along the Ashlu Creek Road (23 km before the trailhead) is passable, but possibly requires agressive driving. Rich So explains ” We managed to get to within 3km with the lightly modified Subaru Loyale, with some agressive driving. We actually saw a Grand Vitara parked within 500m of Shortcut creek.” (10 Sept 2007). One truck that managed to push through the washout found the road beyond had a bad sinkhole (click here).

Cypress Peak – Page 72The access road has seen some changes recently. Reportedly the road access is now accessible by a 2wd vehicle. In addition, the road now continues beyond the end described in the guidebook. People have mentioned that crossing Roe Creek , which can be difficult to cross due to high water even in late July) is easier if you hike slightly further upstream (north) closer to where the route to Cypress Peaks leaves the creek and climbs up the long talus slope. Reportedly an indistinct trail leads to Roe Creek from the road. Apparently this trail leave the Roe Creek road a short distance beyond where the road enters old growth forest (past 11.5 km in the guidebook access description). The trail is marked by ribbon on trees and slashes cut into trees. Thanks to Tim and Sarah for the update. (July 27, 2008)

Old update: There has been some road work done along the roads used to approach Cypress. A few new forks now appear along the way. Click here for updated road infomation. Thanks to Brock Wilson and Scott Nelson for this update. Dana Nohynek reported that in July 2006 it was possible to pass through the waterbar at ~9 km with a 4wd high clearance and drive to the trailhead at 11.2 km. This has been confirmed again in July 2007.

Black Tusk from Microwave Towers – Page 81The access to the service road is changed from your description, since they built an athletes village at the turnoff. Still fairly straightforward to find the right parking lot though.
There is a usually-locked gate at the very beginning of the road, ~1km. There is a second locked gate at ~4.5 km. The top gate, ~14.8km is now open. Again we rode mountain bikes from the bottom. Also a chore, but better than the rubble creek approach by a long shot. Thanks to Matt Reid for these updates. (July 2011)
Reportedly this road is currently gated quite low. With the gate closed at a low elevation, this is not a good access route to Black Tusk. (20-oct-2006) Still gated as of July 2007.

Brandywine Mountain – Page 86The 4 WD access road is very rough for about 1 km before the cabin but can now drive in something like a Jeep right up to the trail as the road after the cabin is in better shape than the part before the cabin. There is one big rocky waterbar right after the cabin then it is very smooth. Thanks to Roy Ball for the update. (Sept 2012) The road is blocked where it meets Highway 99 (likely due to highway construction). It is still possible to access the Brandywine road by driving a little further north on Highway 99 and turning left onto the Callaghan Lake road, and then taking the first left off the Callaghan Lake road (July 2008).

Rainbow Moutain – Page 88Yoel Guttmann provided the following update on conditions on Rainbow Mountain: Route #1 is sketchy. Glacier is showing lots of crevasses and huge moat on the upper edge. (Sept 09). The description of route #2 (non glacier) is accurate. The gully after the crux is easy. The crux is going around the Pinacle (moderate). It is faster to reach the Pinnacle from bellow. ie. follow the edge of the glacier all the way to the base of the pinnacle and climb up. The route is easy and obvious.

Russet Lake Approach – Page 90When accessing the Russet Lake area across the Musical Bumps from the top of lifts on Whistler Ski Resort there is a new trail option to consider. The new trail is called the ‘High Note Trail’ and reportedly provides good views of Cheakamus Lake. The new trail is probably a bit longer but more scenic. Check Whistler-Blackcomb trail map and the Whistler-Blackcomb hiking trail descriptions.

Blackcomb Peak Camping – Page 100BC Parks staff have indicated that camping is not allowed at Decker Lake. “Decker Tarn is in GaribaldiProvincialPark. Long standing regulations prohibit any camping in the park except in designated sites, which Decker Tarn is not, and except at a minimum distance of one hour’s hike form the nearest kept trail.” Thanks to John Ince for the update (August 2012).

Meager Creek Bridge Reconstruction – Page 113, 114The bridge over Meager Creek has been completed (sumemr 2009). The road is often closed due to debris torrent fears. Check the Squamish Forest district Road info for details on closures. This is finished, it will dramatically imporve access to the following peaks: Three Stooges, Frozen Boot and Overseer Mountain. Reportedly it is nearly impossible to safely cross the creek without the bridge. (Thanks to Scott Webster)

Tenquille Lake Approach from Tenquille Creek- Page 121This road is deteriorating. There are several rock slides that have partially blocked the road between 10 and 16 km from the highway. The Tenquille Creek Branch FSR is getting very bushy and alders will scratch vehicles. (mid July 2007)

Mount Sampson – Page 141The bridge at the start of the “Hurley River-Hurley River South FSR” has been removed. Reportedly it is possible to cross the creek on a log a short distance upstream from the birdge and avoid a ford of the creek. Reportedly it is possible to get a bike across for use along the logging roads. (Summer 2005)

Chipmunk Peak, Tenquille North Ridge – Page 142-145The branch of the Hope Creek FSR that leads towards Opal Lake, Chipmunk Peak and the north ridge of Tenquille is reportedly not worth driving past 11.2 km at a large waterbar/creek – very large waterbars begin after this creek. This will leave people with some road hiking if headed to this area. (Sept 2007)

Beaujolais, Mystery- Page 148-151The access road is reportedly still in 4WD-HC to the trailhead as described in the route description (June 2008).

Mystery – Page 151On page 151 there are references in the text and on the photo to the “lake east of Mystery”. This lake is actually located to the west of Mystery.

Dickson Peak – Page 158There is a new placer claim along that [Roxey Creek] road and the claim owner, Joe Feltren of Merritt, is building a cabin at the junction just before the first ford. He is asking people to park at the “Keep Out” sign on the edge of the claim, where there is a pullout with room for 2 cars. He doesn’t seem to mind hikers and climbers walking across the property, just stop and ask his permission (July 2009). Thanks Helen Habgood.

Spetch Creek Approach – Cassiope, Saxifrage – 166The FSR is washed out at 2.4 km. Impossible to pass with any vehicle except with an ATV. This adds 5km of walk and 500 meters of additional altitude. Someone has cut the trees that grew along the road but left them in the path, which makes it difficult to walk through. The bridge over Spetch is in great shape, so no problem with crossing it. Thanks to Sylvain DesBiens (August 2012).
This road is reportedly very bushy now. Alders will scratch your car on the approach (Summer 2007). By the summer of 2009 the road has gotten more bushy, thought people are still able to drive to the trailhead, however there are no large waterbars so a 2wd can make it to the trailhead Thanks to Michael for the update.

Place Glacier Approach – Page 172
The BCMC recently spent a weekend clearing deadfall off this trail and have considerably improved it. Of course, the trail is still steep! (late July 2008)

Birkenhead Mountain – Page 179
The road access description contains an error. At the junction at 3.3 km you should take the right fork, not the left fork as indicated in the text. Thanks to Chris Kiely for catching this one.

Phelix Creek Approach – Page 180The Phelix Creek Hut area should not be used between August 15 and October 15; it is a used by grizzly bears during their mating season.
The “Blackwater Creek-Phelix Creek Branch” is currenlty 4wd-HC access to the trailhead, due to work being done on the ongoing rockslide at 0.5 km. In addition, the road was brushed out slightly to reduce the carwash effect (July 2008). A new access trail has been constructed to the hut from the same trailhead by the VOC. It heads up the west side of Phelix Creek. Details from the VOC wiki: “The new trail stays on the west side of the creek, more or less following the traditional winter route. The trail has been meticulously flagged, and permanent trail markers will be installed in spring 2008. The constructed trail ends at the east end of Long Lake. From there, the best route is to follow discontinuous trails around the south side of the lake to the cabin.” The trail has seen improvements in the summer of 2009 including permanent markers and a good footbed. (July 2009). Thanks to Scott Webster for the update.

Twin Lakes Approach – Page 186Reportedly it is possible to drive 2WD vehicles to the 14-15km where rock fall blocks the road to everything but ATV’s. To reach this point you must cross 2 or 3 small waterbars and 1 minor creek. This adds 2kms and 200 m elevation gain to the approach. Thanks to Paul for the update. (mid July 2008)

Cayoosh Mountain – Page 194
Reportedly people have been driving a ways up the access road towards Cayoosh from from the Duffey Lake highway. This road is described as the start of the hike in the Scrambles route description since it was not driveable during research. The road is reportedly very bushy and may not actually be worthwhile driving on (July 2008).

Mount Marriott – Page 198
Reportedly there is a better way to access the ridgeline from the mini valley. Instead of hiking up “slabs, ramps and scree on the left side of the cliff” it is reportedly easier and more plesant to ascend to the right of the cliff and reach the ridgeline at which point you would hike along the ridge to the left to regain the route. I have not tried this route so I can not vouch for its difficulty. (July 2007)

Cerise Creek Access – Page 202
The summer access road is no longer available to vehicle traffic. There is now a locked gate 100m off Duffy Lake Road at the old Van Horlick Creek start point. The gate protects the FSR gravel pits which have seen recent use for supplying aggregate to complete highway work. One can still use the summer access road on foot or bicycle, and although the FSR has been decommissioned beyond the gravel pits, brush cover is not a problem for either method of approach. The overgrown brush must have been taken care of when they removed the cross culverts and decommissioned the road. The shorter access route from the highway (418810) to the connection with the Cerise Creek FSR (419798), begins at 30.4 km from Mt. Currie where there is a small, paved pullout section for parking on the south side of the highway. Look for an “End Avalanche Area” sign on the north side of the highway directly opposite the trailhead if there aren’t already vehicles parked there. Once you get to Cerise Creek on the FSR, you’ll find a log crossing just up from the old FSR bridge. It may be a bit sketchy for those with balance issues (and a full pack) during periods of high stream flow. On our descent from Keith’s Hut we moved the ropes from the upper 2 log crossings to this lower crossing, as the upper crossings aren’t nearly as hazardous. Don’t count on the FSR log crossing being there terribly long, as the bottom end of the main log is not secure against the right bank of the creek. Wading across is not advisable during high stream flow (bank full width). Thanks to Howard Ratzlaff and Penny for this update (Spet 2009).
The bridge over cerise creek on the FSR is now gone. You must wade, cross on another log, or follow flagged route from highway (July 2009). Thanks to scott Webster for update.
The summer access road described in the scrambles guidebook has become significantly more bushy with alders in the past couple years. It is no longer advisable to drive your car on this road unless you don’t mind getting your paint scratched. Instead you should park in the winter parking spot on the Duffey Highway and hike down across the creek and up to the clearcut to the logging road. This hike from the highway to the summer trailhead should take 35-45 minutes. Thanks to Craig Oliver for reporting this one. (4-October-2006)

Hurley Silver Mine – Page 212The first bridge over Cayoosh Creek has been washed out, and there is a foot bridge in its place. It is necessary to walk the entire logging road. (August 2009). Thanks to paul Talbot for the update.
A bridge on the access road for this area at approximately 0.5 km from the Duffey Lake highway was burned recently. It sounds like this might make the access roads undriveable for regular vehicles. (1-august-2006) Also, there is a mistake in the first paragraph of the access description. It should say “Turn left roughly 47 km from Mount Currie” not right as indicated. Thanks to Chris Kiely for catching this one.

Downton Creek Peak 8700 – Page 216
Pardeep Longia provided the following update/correction (Aug 2012): The directions ” Follow the main road for 5.7km to fork (595044) and go right.” is incorrect and should indicate to to left at that junction. The road should be driveable with a 2WD; just be slow and cautious. Also at the 4.4km mark, the road is washing out.
The map for this area is 92 J/9 Shalalth, not 92 J/8 Duffey Lake as stated. Thanks to Bryan Preston for catching this one.
Thanks to Devin McKay for the following update: “Went up Downton Creek on August long weekend. The road marked “Branch 2″ now has significant water bars, requiring a high clearance vehicle.” (Summer 2010).
“Here’s a road update from Klaus Tetzlaff from July 2009: I was there July 18-19, 2009. The road is still in good shape…high clearance not needed. There are some new roads due to active logging but approach to the trail head is still straight forward. The BC forest service has built a nice trail to the alpine…no need to look for flagging. There is a sign for the trail at the road as well as where you enter the forest. On a sad note, we found ATV tracks in the alpine SE of Peak 8700. Don’t know how they got up there but I assume that a trail was built.”
– I (Matt Gunn) would no longer say the downton road is 2wd. Although the first section is in good shape, the 2nd half has gotten a bit rough and i’d say it’s now a high clearance road. (Summer 2008)

Upper Statlu Approach – Page 239
Access to Statlu Lake using the approach described in the book is still not possible (August 2012). Thanks to Mark Finn for the update.Repotedly there is another access route that can be used to reach the Upper Statlu Lake area which is described on clubtread.com (click here to see).
Shortly after Skwellepil Creek at 32km from the Lougheed highway and prior to Statlu Lake the road has been deactivated by two impassable ditches. ~1km past these ditches a large landslide has crossed the road. The will add a large ammount of road walking to reach the trailhead and likely not make the trip worthwhile. For a detailed update regarding the condition of the road click here. According to the MOF website (click here to see) the alternate road access from from Harrison West FSR and Chehalis-Mystery Creek FSR is also closed due to a wood salvage operation related to the landslide. (27-July-2008)

Mount McGuire – Page 248Mt McGuire: After driving 19 km on Chilliwack Lake Road comes the turn onto Slesse-Borden Creek Road. After tuning on this road and driving 0.6 km, there are large trees piled up to block the road. This is a very long way from where the books says we could park to start hiking (another 11 km). Thanks to Sylvain DesBiens (July 2012)
A bridge ~4.6 km from the Chilliwack Lake road on the Slesse-Borden FSR has been washed out and the road is blocked lower down with boulders. Because of this access to the McGuire trailhead is considerably longer and would require an additional 8 km of mountain biking with considerable elevation gain. (mid July 2007)

Mount MacFarlane – Page 251On the fourth line of the route description there is a mistake. The description should read: “…a trail cuts off to the left marked by orange diamonds…” (The trail does not cut off to the right as indicated in the book.)

Baby Munday Area Approach, Knight, Baby Munday Stewart – Page 256-261
The Airplane Creek FSR is gated at the turnoff from Foley FSR (apparently at 8PM on weekdays and throughout the weekend). This will add several extra kilometeres of road hiking and elevation gain to the approach. It may be possible to borrow the key to the gate; the new number for Tamihi Logging is 604.796.0314. There is also a new fork on this road due to new logging road construction. The new fork is ~2.2 km up the Airplane Creek Road. Go right at this fork. Thanks to Brock Wilson and Daniel Durocher for the updates (10-july-2006). The gate has been reported open and closed at different times during the summer of 2007.

Williamson Lake Approach, Welch Peak, Foley Peak – Page 262-267
Williamson Lake Approach: I drove to within 2 km from the end of the road. The water bars are quite deep at times, and I could not clear some of them (Subaru Outback) without scraping the bottom of the front or rear of my vehicle and I was alone and had a very light load. I negotiated them sideways, but the road is quite narrow, so it is sometimes difficult to do so. Thanks to Sylvain DesBiens (July 2012)
Here’s a road update from Darren Abramson for the summer of 2009: I did the Williamson Lake approach route yesterday (July 26). The road is presently driveable to the gate, and the gate was open yesterday. I don’t have the number on the sign at the gate, but it’s Tamihi Logging, so probably the same number as other references on your site for getting the key, if necessary. If not concerned about the gate (sign says it closes at 2pm, it was open when we returned to our car around 6:30), cars should be able to make it to the lower landing on the road, but due to steep sections, some 2wd may not make it, especially if the road is wet/muddy. The route is in “good” condition, except for the necessity to cross a steep slide, which may turn back inexperienced hikers. Ski/hiking poles are recommended.
Here’s another update from July 2009 from Joanna Wood: “We went into the Welch/Foley area this past weekend and the road is in good shape, despite a sign still posted by Foley Lake which says the road is closed due to a slide. There appears to be active logging in the area, so drivers should watch out for logging trucks during working hours. As well, there is a new fork in the road that goes off to the left at about 10.4/10.5km (sorry, my odometer wasn’t reset right at the start of the road), which could be confusing for people who haven’t been to the area before. About 100/200m later is the correct 10.6km left fork.”

Reportedly it was possible to drive past Foley Lake last fall but the road condition is degrading. It is hard to say how much longer this access route will be viable (Summer 2008).
The road is now apparently blocked by large boulders or large cement blocks near Foley Lake, possibly due to damage from a landslide tsunami in the winter. This closure will add considerable distance and elevation gain to along roads to reach the trailhead. (mid July 2007)
Apparently there is a new gate on the Foley Creek FSR. Reportedly it is quite low on the road which would make for a long hike on logging roads if it is closed. I don’t have contact info for the key as of yet. If you know where to get the key please email me. It has reported as opne and closed at different times.(23-oct-2006).

North Nesakwatch Spire – Page 268
The access road was washed out aroudn 5km from the Chilliwack Lake road but reportedly the road can now be driven with a 4WD-HC to the trailhead. (July 2008)

Macdonald Peak – Page 274The bridge over the Chilliwack River at the end of Paulsen Road has been removed making it unsafe to access the Radium Lake Trail and Macdonald Peak and Mount Webb from the trailhead described in the book. To reach the trail it is now necessary to park at the Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park campground where the Radium Lake trail begins. To reach the parking area continue driving down the Chilliwack Lake Road and ignore the turnoff for Paulsen Road. A marked trail leading to Radium Lake starts from within the camprground. Thanks to jsadowski for pointing this one out.

Old Settler – Page 281
Reportedly you can only drive 7.8km up the road now and must walk the rest of the way along the road. There is now a flagged route from teh road through the forest leading up towards Daiphy Lake. (July 2008)

Julia (www.mountaingirl.net) emailed me a suggestion for a better route from the road to Daiphy Lake. Check out the description and photo. The access road is currently in better conditions than it has been in the past couple years. A 4WD-high clearance should be able to make it to GR 959842, which is 8.6 km up Talc Creek road. Park here and walk the remaining 2.7 km of logging road. (1-aug-2006). In July 2007 the gate at the start of the Talc Creek road is reportedly being locked on weekends and a log is being placed across the road. The caretaker has not been giving out the key for people to drive up the road. Call Lakeside Pacific in Chilliwack before going here.

One other note regarding The Old Settler: the scramble route described in “Scrambles in SWBC” leads up the central summit of hte massif. The north summit is apparently higher than the central summit, but I have not climbed the north peak and can’t vouch for the difficulty.

Eaton Lake Approach – Page 282
The Silver-Skagit road which leads to the Eaton Lake trailhead was damaged and closed over the winter of 06-07. It has now been repaired and access is back to normal (August-2007).

Tomyhoi Peak – Page 305It has been pointed out to me that my hiking description for the first part of the Tomyhoi Route can be confusing. There is a major fork in the trail below Gold Run Pass where you must go to the left towards Yellow Aster Bute. Do not go right towards Tomyhoi Lake.

North Twin Sister & South Twin Sister – Page 310, 314I erroneously called these peaks “North Twin” and “South Twin”. They are actually named “North Twin Sister” and South Twin Sister”.
In addition, for the North Twin Sister access, reportedly one of the junctions on the bike ride to the two peaks has changed due to reactivation of one of the roads. The description in the book does not reflect the improved road and may be confusing. Click here for an updated description of this approach provided by Yoel (Sept 2007). It is at a junction where you are supposed to go right onto what was previously an old road. One more note is that it appears a different access road which leads to the junction between the routes of the North and South Twin Sisters has been reactivated. This may provide a new driving route to considerably shorten the approach, but I do not have specific information. (July 2007).